Senin, 10 November 2008

Arthritis Products: Choosing The Ones That Work by Flor Serquina

Arthritis is a painful condition affecting the joints and in advanced stages, it can even cause limb deformities. It is a chronic condition that needs to be diagnosed properly in order for it to be treated efficiently. If you suspect you have arthritis, do not try to use any product without first consulting your doctor. Not all pain located in the joints are related to arthritis and it's important to rule out any other medical conditions before the appropriate medication or therapy is prescribed.

Common Products Used to Treat Arthritis

Arthritis products commonly address three problems associated with the disease: pain, inflammation and mobility problems. The arthritis product or medication that will be prescribed to you will depend on the type of arthritis you have, the frequency and severity of the pain and other conditions such as your age, lifestyle and medical history.

Some of the most common products used to treat arthritis include drugs and medications. These are used to manage arthritis pain and inflammation and helps in promoting mobility and tissue repair. Some of these products are available over-the-counter while others may need a prescription due to stronger dosage or associated side effects.

These products include: analgesics, tTopical pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), glucocorticoids, biologic response modifiers (BRMs), salicylates, anti-depressants, tranquilizers, nerve blockers, muscle relaxants and narcotics.

Supplements

Two of the most popularly used supplements for arthritis are glucosamine and chondroitin, which naturally occur in the joint tissues. As supplements, these products have been in use for many years. If you're considering using them, ask your doctor for advice and recommendation.

Another popular arthritis product is in the form of dietary supplements, often marketed as "special" diets using tablets, drinks or a diet program. While the supporting premise about a balanced diet in order to manage weight and ease arthritic pain may be valid enough, there is no such thing as a single diet that will prevent or "cure" arthritis. Unlike gout, arthritis is not caused directly by food. If you must use a diet, do so on your own in order to shed excess weight and go easy on your joints.

Arthritis Products You Should Avoid

There are many well-documented arthritis products that have proven to be effective in the treatment of arthritis symptoms but there are also some products that are a complete waste of money and effort. They come in all forms - tablets, pills, powder drinks, electronic massagers, ointments, even jewelry, all offering a miracle "cure". Unfortunately, many of these arthritis products are unproven, some are unsafe and many more completely built on false claims.

If you are considering using an arthritis product you've never heard of before, always proceed with prudence and use common sense. Many of these products are cleverly marketed, masking side effects and exaggerating claims. Remember that completely worthless arthritis products are marketed to attract patients who are desperate enough to be willing to believe anything. When symptoms are especially bad, this is often the time when you're most vulnerable.

Watch out for products that are not supported by scientific proof or controlled clinical studies. If there are studies involved, they should have been conducted by an unbiased third party. As a consumer, you should also be informed of what kind of ingredients are used in the product or if it is a gadget, how exactly it's supposed to work against arthritis.

If they are untested or if testimonials are the only anecdotal proof the manufacturers can provide, it may be better for you to stay clear of these products. If you must hope, do so realistically and protect yourself at all times.

Taking Arthritis Products Seriously

Treating arthritis is serious business so it's important that you follow the recommended doses of any product that may be prescribed to you. Doubling the dosage may seem the practical thing to do especially when symptoms are severe but this may only worsen your condition. Certain arthritis products such as drugs, for example, have unpleasant side effects and often need to be controlled and monitored. Remember that arthritis products exist in order to give you relief from symptoms, not to worsen or do nothing for your condition.

About the Author

Visit Arthritis-Education.com for useful information and resources about arthritis product, causes of rheumatoid arthritis and what is rheumatoid arthritis.

Taken from : http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=663295

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